Tamper evident container utilizing sealed interface between container and lid
A tamper evident container (10) where the base (12) has an inverted U-shaped section (25) connected to the base sidewall (21), and an annular flange (16a) extending from the base inverted U-shaped section (25) such that the base annular flange (16a) extends in a plane generally parallel to the base bottom wall (23). The lid also features an inverted U-shaped section (45) connected to the lid top surface (43), and an annular flange (16b) extends from the lid inverted U-shaped section (45) such that the lid annular flange (16b) extends in a plane generally parallel to the lid top surface (43). The base and lid inverted U-shaped sections (25, 45) are sized such that, when mounted to one another, the base and lid annular flanges (16a, 16b) abut one another and may be bonded together to thereafter form a tearable strip.
The invention relates to the art of tamper evident containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTamper evident containers are ubiquitous for storing sensitive material such as drugs. Such containers typically utilize an additional ring, tab or external plastic sheathing that must be broken off by the consumer in order to access the container. Conversely, the breakage of such irreparable break-open rings, tabs or external plastic sheathing indicate that the container has been opened. Examples of such prior art is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,474,304, 4,488,658, 4,595,547, 5,111,953, 5,115,934, 5,398,836 and U.S. Pub. No. 2005/0133508.
It is desired to provide a low cost and easily manufacturable tamper evident container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA tamper evident container is provided having a base and a lid mountable thereon. The base has a bottom wall, a base sidewall extending transverse to the base bottom wall, an inverted U-shaped section connected to the base sidewall, and an annular flange extending from the base inverted U-shaped section such that the base annular flange extends in a plane generally parallel to the base bottom wall. The lid has a surface cap, an inverted U-shaped section connected to the lid surface cap, and an annular flange extending from the lid inverted U-shaped section such that the lid annular flange extends in a plane generally parallel to the lid surface cap. The base and lid inverted U-shaped sections are sized such that, when mounted to one another, the base and lid annular flanges abut one another.
The junction between the base annular flange and the base inverted U-section preferably has a narrower cross-sectional width than the cross-sectional width of the base inverted U-section. The junction between the lid annular flange and the lid inverted U-section preferably also has a narrower cross-sectional width than the cross-sectional width of the lid inverted U-section.
The lid and base inverted U-sections preferably each have projections that together provide a deformable detent mechanism for releasably locking the lid to the base.
The base inverted preferably U-section comprises a first sidewall section, a bight section, and a second sidewall section, the base projection depending from the first base inverted-U sidewall section. The lid inverted U-section preferably comprises a first sidewall section, a bight section, and a second sidewall section, the lid projection depending from the first lid inverted-U sidewall. And the base projection preferably abuts against the lid inverted-U first sidewall causing the base inverted-U second sidewall to abut and seal against the lid inverted-U second sidewall.
A container according to claim 6, wherein the base and lid annular flanges are bonded to one another.
Referring additionally to
The rim 20 provides a first part of a reusable seal for the container 10. As seen best in
Referring additionally to
The rim 40 provides a second part of the container reusable seal. As seen best in
Referring additionally to
With the lid 14 thus mounted on the base 12, it will be seen that the thin lid flange 16b abuts the somewhat thicker base flange 16a. The flanges 16a, 16b may thereafter be bonded together utilizing a conventional heat press such as a heated ring, or other bonding methods may be employed as well known in the art per se such as ultrasonic welding.
As discussed above, to open the sealing interface 16, the container 10 includes a pull-tab 18 (connected to the sealing interface) which the consumer may pull upon to remove the sealing interface 16, thus enabling the lid 12 to be removed from the container. The narrow cross-sectional widths at the base and lid junctions 32 and 52, which are comparatively much thinner than the cross-sectional widths of the base and lid inverted U-section, provide easily tearable parting lines between the sealing interface 16 and the remainder of the container 10. The lid junction 52 is located radially outward of the base junction 32, which defines a corner between the base vertically oriented wall 28 and the annular flange 16a.
While the above describes a particular embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations may be made to the detailed embodiment(s) described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A tamper evident container, comprising:
- a base and a lid mountable thereon;
- the base having a bottom wall, a base sidewall extending transverse to the base bottom wall, an inverted U-shaped section connected to the base sidewall, and an annular flange extending from the base inverted U-shaped section such that the base annular flange extends in a plane generally parallel to the base bottom wall; and
- the lid having a surface cap, an inverted U-shaped section connected to the lid surface cap, and an annular flange extending from the lid inverted U-shaped section such that the lid annular flange extends in a plane generally parallel to the lid surface cap;
- wherein the base and lid inverted U-shaped sections are sized such that, when mounted to one another, the base and lid annular flanges abut one another;
- wherein the lid and base inverted U-sections each have projections that together provide a deformable detent mechanism for releasably locking the lid to the base;
- wherein the cross-sectional thickness of a first junction between the base annular flange and the base inverted U-section is narrower than the cross-sectional thickness of a wall that provides the base inverted U-section; and
- wherein the cross-sectional thickness of a second junction between the lid annular flange and the lid inverted U-section is narrower than the cross-sectional thickness of a wall that provides the lid inverted U-section;
- wherein the first junction between the base annular flange and the base inverted U-section defines a corner and the second junction between the lid annular flange and the lid inverted U-section is located radially outward of the first junction so as to enable the base and lid annular flanges to be torn away from the base and lid inverted U-shaped sections along different parting lines.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein:
- the base inverted U-shaped section comprises a first sidewall portion connected to the base sidewall, a bight portion, and a second sidewall portion connected to the base annular flange, the base projection depending from the second sidewall portion;
- the lid inverted U-shaped section comprises a first sidewall portion connected to the lid surface cap, a bight portion, and a second sidewall portion connected to the lid annular flange, the lid projection depending from the second sidewall portion; and
- the base projection abuts against the lid second sidewall portion causing the base first sidewall portion to abut and seal against the lid first sidewall portion.
3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the base and lid annular flanges are bonded to one another.
4. A container according to claim 2, wherein:
- the base second sidewall portion is substantially linear and the base projection extends outwardly therefrom;
- the lid second sidewall portion is substantially linear and the lid projection extends outwardly therefrom; and
- the lid projection is situated underneath the base projection when the lid is mounted on the base.
5. A container according to claim 1, including a pull tab connected to at least one of the base and lid annular flanges.
6. A container according to claim 1, wherein the base and the lid are formed from polypropylene.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 27, 2010
Date of Patent: Nov 19, 2013
Patent Publication Number: 20120103991
Inventor: Alexander Segal (Richmond Hill)
Primary Examiner: Anthony Stashick
Assistant Examiner: James N Smalley
Application Number: 12/925,683
International Classification: B65D 17/40 (20060101);